UCP MLA Scott Sinclair (Lesser Slave Lake) has called-out Alberta's 2025 budget in a scathing social media post.
The budget posted multi-year deficits with a small tax break for some lower income Albertans.
"I find most of it, at best, disappointing and, at worst, unacceptable for Albertans," said Sinclair on Facebook. "I don’t know who it’s meant to serve, but it certainly isn’t for me, my family, my friends, or my constituents. In fact, I’m furious at the amount of money being funnelled into Edmonton and Calgary — as usual — while northern Alberta and our riding are largely ignored."
Sinclair said it's appalling the region's GDP flows to urban centres — while rural Albertans "the backbone of this province" get left behind. He said it feels like he is contending with a provincial version of federal equalization payments — lots of money going out with not enough returning, "with rural communities footing the bill for the big cities."
"Everyone knows I’m a huge Oilers / sports fan, but I would never prioritize funding arena projects in major cities while essential infrastructure projects, like Highway 88 in our riding, remain incomplete," said Sinclair.
"If the government insists on running multiple deficits — which I strongly oppose — then I would expect to see real investments in one-time infrastructure projects for northern Alberta— fixing our roads, bridges, building new schools, and upgrading regional airports. After all, most of the revenue that funds this province comes from here."
Sinclair continued, "And if we’re going to continue pouring billions into healthcare, maybe we should stop closing our hospitals, bring back local maternity services, perform surgeries closer to home, and finally build the helipad in High Prairie.
"Healthcare in Northern Alberta has hit rock bottom, and while I hear about positive changes happening elsewhere, they aren’t happening here. How are we expected to accept multiple emergency department closures when the nearest care is hours away?"
Sinclair called-out specific budget expenditures, like $2.9 billion for LRT projects in Calgary and Edmonton, $2.6 billion for schools (none in Sinclair's riding) $9 million for 50 new police officers in Edmonton, and $106 million to Edmonton to demolish the old Northlands Coliseum — developing a recreation park, and creating a community gathering space.
"I’m a team player, but I was elected to stand up for our region— and right now, this feels like the only option I have left," said Sinclair.
"The coming week will be tough on me and my family, but I hope you all understand why I have to take this stand. The balance of power in cabinet remains in the big cities, and they continue to take ridings like Lesser Slave Lake for granted."
Sinclair added, "I don’t know who this budget is meant for, but if Trudeau’s former cabinet minister, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, is thrilled about it— then it’s probably not for Northern Alberta. It’s certainly not for our riding, and it’s definitely not for the majority of Albertans who love this province."
"This budget is indefensible for the Lesser Slave Lake Constituency, and I will not support or vote for it “as is” without significant changes."
In a statement, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said of Sinclair's protest, “We have to plan for the worst-case scenario in the budgeting process given the uncertainty around trade, tariffs and global oil prices. This year that means accounting for $68 oil and 25% tariffs, and the other economic impacts those factors would have. This means it is a tough budget, that includes a $4 billion contingency fund and a $1.2 billion tax cut to help Albertans deal with higher inflation."
Smith said the province is making major investments in rural Alberta, including planning and design funding for five new school projects in the North, and $101 million for twinning highway 63 north of Fort McMurray.
She added, "It also includes paving highway 686 between Peerless Lake and Trout Lake, and design work to extend the highway from Fort McMurray to Peerless Lake, which will have a positive impact on communities of Lesser Slave Lake. Alberta’s government will also be supporting the Highway 88 paving and widening project through design funding. Budget 2025 also includes funding to support the town of Slave Lake in the development of their EMS station."
